AULANDER – After months of planning, the Town of Aulander will salute the “Goober” here Saturday (Oct. 18) during its inaugural Peanut Festival.

The full-day event (9 a.m. until 10 p.m. in the area of the old high school and ball field off Rice Ave.) promises to be fun for the whole family. That schedule of events includes music throughout the day by DJ Billy Drew as well as by Keith Little (2-3 p.m.), Nancy Joyner & Early Station (3-4 p.m.), the Aulander Community Choir (4-5 p.m.) and “Back Burner” (6-10 p.m.).

There will be a 5K Fun Run at 10 a.m. (pre-register at the AulanderTown Hall or at 9 a.m. on Oct. 18). There is a $15 registration fee for the 5K or choose to participate in the 1-mile walk for $5. The race will start and finish at Rice Avenue near the Fitness Track. T-Shirts and medals will be awarded to all participants. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in male and female divisions.

For more info on the 5K event, contact Lewis Hoggard at 252-794-4277 or Johnna Browne at 252-345-3541.

A cooking contest will begin with a 10 a.m. registration. This event is open to all amateur cooks, ages 5-and-up. Categories include appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts. Prizes will be awarded in each category.

Also at 10 a.m. is the Peanut Festival Car Show, sponsored by the Tri-County Cruisers. The show is open to all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. There is a $10 entry fee per vehicle. Awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m. For more info, contact Bobby Pace at 252-370-2650.

For the nostalgic, there will be a display of antique farm equipment from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

A “Punt, Pass and Kick” event will be held, with registration opening at 10:30 a.m. and the competition beginning one hour later. Children will be able to compete in two age divisions (8-12 and 11-13).

The opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. featuring the Bertie High School JROTC, the National Anthem by Robin Bland, remarks by Aulander Mayor Larry Drew, the “Peanut Song” by the Kindergarten class at Aulander Elementary School, and recognition of the 5K winners and T-Shirt Design Contest.

Vendors will open their booths at 11:30 a.m. where patrons can shop for unique items.

Laverne Cherry will lead a Zumba activity at 12 noon.

A corn hole tournament gets underway at 1 p.m. The double elimination event is open to all ages. There is a $20 entry fee per team. Cash awards will be presented to the first, second and third place teams. To pre-register or for more information, call Billy Drew at 642-2772.

The Aulander Volunteer Fire Department will host a fried chicken and pork barbecue dinner from 4-7 p.m. Plates are $8 each and tickets can be purchased in advance from any member of the Aulander Volunteer Fire Department or at the Town Hall.  All proceeds will go towards the purchase of equipment for the AVFD.